Lead Technical Program Manager

About the Company

SPARK Microsystems offers a unique and innovative UWB wireless chip technology that delivers energy efficiency and latency of an order of magnitude better than the state of the art. Our goal is to significantly extend the battery life of electronic systems that require short-range wireless communications, while increasing the robustness and agility of their wireless connections. If you are dynamic, motivated, and ready to have a fulfilling and thrilling professional experience in a unique start-up, we want to talk to you!

SPARK is a young company based in Montréal with 100 dynamic employees who enjoy taking on challenges, working in a fast-paced environment, and taking ownership. Our team thrives on collaboration, initiative, and mutual support, with frequent opportunities to build strong interpersonal relationships in and out of the office.

About the Role

SPARK Microsystems is seeking a Lead Technical Program Manager to lead complex, cross-functional technical programs and provide leadership to SPARK’s growing Program/Project Management function. The role combines direct program/project execution with PM leadership, governance, and continuous improvement. Approximately 80% of the role is focused on hands-on project and program execution, and 20% on PM team leadership, coaching, governance, and process improvement. You will manage multidisciplinary development programs involving ASIC, embedded hardware, firmware, validation, system integration, and external development partners. You will also lead a small team of Program/Project Managers, establish consistent project management practices, and provide Engineering leadership with visibility on project performance, risks, dependencies, and resource constraints. You will work closely with Product Managers, Functional Engineering Managers, customers, and external partners. This position reports to the Vice President of Engineering.

Responsibilities

PMO Management

• Lead, coach and develop the Project Management team.
• Support recruitment and onboarding as the PM team grows.
• Establish consistent project/program management practices and continuous improvement.
• Drive consistent risk management, project reviews, and lessons learned.
• Drive NPI and Gate Review governance.
• Consolidate project/program reporting and risks.
• Identify cross-project dependencies and resource conflicts.
• Facilitate portfolio reviews with Engineering and Executive leadership as needed.
• Escalate priority and resource conflicts to Engineering or Executive Management as needed.

Project & Program Management

• Lead technical programs composed of multiple projects, workstreams, external partners, cross-functional Engineering teams, and stakeholders.
• Define and manage project and program scope, deliverables, schedules, budgets, resources, and success criteria across multiple related workstreams.
• Proactively manage cross-project dependencies, risks, issues, and resource conflicts, driving mitigation, decisions, and escalation to achieve overall program objectives.
• Develop integrated plans across ASIC, hardware, firmware, validation, system integration, certification, manufacturing readiness, and external development activities.
• Work with Product Managers on customer-facing projects to align technical execution, product requirements, priorities, and customer commitments.
• Provide clear project/program status and decision information to Engineering leadership and key stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.

Required Skills

• 10+ years of relevant experience combining embedded systems and technical project/program management.
• 7+ years managing complex technical projects or programs involving embedded HW and FW.
• Experience leading, coaching, or managing Project Managers.
• Demonstrated program management experience involving multiple related projects/workstreams.
• Strong project management capabilities include scheduling, budgeting, risk management, resource planning, and executive reporting.
• Experience working in a matrix organization with Product Managers, Functional Managers, and technical teams.
• Experience managing external development partners and customer-facing technical programs.
• Experience with Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid development methodologies.
• Several years of hands-on engineering experience in embedded system architecture, hardware, firmware, systems, validation, RF, or a related technical discipline.
• Proficiency with project and program management tools (e.g., TargetProcess, Jira, Microsoft Project)

Preferred Skills

• PMP or equivalent certification is an asset
• Excellent leadership, organization, and interpersonal communication skills
• Experience with low-power design and portable system development is an asset
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, iterative, and growing organization
• Highly analytical, proactive, and results-oriented